Graduation: FAQs
Below, we have outlined the frequently asked questions for your information.
As you are inviting your guests to graduation, you will need to write the letter with the reason (graduation ceremony) and date: October 11, 2023. We also advise that you provide the “Save the Date” letter that is available in your student portal with this letter posted here.
For more information on federal requirements, please visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/letter-invitation.html
Please check your junk mail for your graduation confirmation email, it would have been sent to the same email address that you received your invitation from.
Please note that you will not be considered as registered to attend graduation on October 11, 2023, until you receive your confirmation email. Once you’ve completed that step, you will receive a final communication from the School of Continuing Studies containing your e-ticket.
Please login into your student portal and check the email address that you have on file, your invitation would have been sent to that email address. As per our response to question number one above, please check the email address that you have on file to ensure that you receive future invitations.
If you would like to request extra guest tickets, please fill out the extra guest ticket form and submit it by 11:59PM on September 27th. Please note, requests are not guaranteed, if we can accommodate your request, you will receive the updated number of e-tickets for your guests via email in October.
https://continue.yorku.ca/support/graduation-faqs/graduation-guest-ticket-request/
Yes, each graduate will be provided with academic regalia, including a robe. The robes will be distributed prior to the graduation ceremony. While there is no mandatory dress code for the event, we recommend wearing business attire or formal wear.
Please plan to arrive at 9:00AM (60 minutes before the beginning of your ceremony). You will pick up your academic regalia (robe) and your name card and then report to the marshalling area. If you arrive late, you may not be able to participate in the ceremony.
As it takes time to marshal all of the graduands, it is very important that you arrive 60 minutes prior to your ceremony to collect your academic regalia (i.e., your robe) and be marshalled in order. The procession of graduands will enter the convocation venue prior to the start of the ceremony. If you arrive after the procession has left, you will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.
Marshalling is the procedure of forming an alphabetical line of graduands for the procession to the stage. Guests are not permitted in the marshalling area. The marshalling area inside the Grad Services Pavilion is not secure, no items should be left behind once the procession starts.
Yes, a ceremony e-program will be available to you via a QR code provided on the day of graduation.
Yes, the graduation ceremony will be live streamed. A link will be posted on the School of Continuing Studies’ website. The link will not be available to access once the ceremony is over.
At each ceremony a professional photographer will photograph each graduate as they cross the stage. Each graduate will also be photographed as they approach and exit the stage. Complimentary photograph proofs will be e-mailed to each graduate within one week of convocation ceremonies. There is no obligation to purchase the photos.
If you have not received an email from Grad Images regarding your ceremony photos, please visit their website to find your photos or contact them using the information below.
Grad Images
1-800-372-3686
ecc.giservice@gradimages.net
www.gradimages.com
Yes, you will have approximately 45 minutes after the ceremony to take photos.
Yes, here are the hashtags we created for graduation: #YorkUSCSGraduation and #YorkUSCSGrad.
If you are graduating from a program that ended between June 1st – September 13th, you may pick up your certificate on the day of your graduation, immediately after your ceremony at the Grad Services Tent. If you will not be attending graduation in October, your certificate will be mailed to your home address. For all graduates from 2019-May 2023, you should have already received your certificate in the mail.
Graduation will be held at the Convocation Pavilion, Sobeys Stadium (formerly Aviva Centre), located at 1 Shoreham Drive, on the west side of our Keele Campus.
Parking and Transit Information
The main graduation parking lot is the Founders Road West with a shuttle bus available to take guests to the Sobey’s Stadium. The shuttle bus pick up is on Founders Road west side near the walkway. Accessible parking will be available, for those with a valid medical placard, at the Shoreham Drive North parking lot. A guest pick-up and drop-off loop can be found across from Sobey’s Stadium, accessible from Shoreham Drive.
Guests, students and faculty are encouraged to take the subway to the Pioneer Village TTC Subway station, which is the closest station to the Sobey’s Stadium. Shuttle bus service will also run to-and-from the subway station if there is space available on the shuttle bus from the earlier pick up on Founders Road.
Parking Instructions
Convocation Parking will be offered for graduates and their guests, in the Founders Road West lot. Parking Enforcement Officers will be stationed at the lot, screening vehicles upon entry. Should guests decide to park in an alternate visitor lot, the required hourly/daily fee will be required.